Sundays, Poustinia, and Rest

Several, several years ago, Roy and I went on a retreat in a “poustinia,” a concept popularized by Catherine Doherty. We were given a cabin in the snowy woods in Minnesota, and meals were brought to us in a basket. The center was called “Pacem in Terris.” Peace on Earth. Indeed!

One of the things I remember is that we were told that until one went away to rest, one did not realize how tired one was. That when one goes away on retreat, whether to pray or to write, the first thing one does is sleep–a lot.

I find that with Sundays. Though I do not feel particularly tired during the week, because I find my work–writing!–very stimulating, there comes a time each day,between 11 and midnight, when my brain feels as if it has turned to mush.

But on Sundays, the accumulated tiredness of the week shows up, probably because adrenalin is low since I don’t intend to write. I nap and nap and nap, and read and nap.

What a gift they are, imagine, one day out of 7 set apart for rest!!

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